The Perfect Rise: Conversations with RBA
"The Perfect Rise: Conversations with RBA" is your all-access pass to the heart of the retail baking industry. Each episode brings you inside the kitchen with leading bakers, educators, and innovators who share their stories, tips, and insights. From the secrets of achieving the perfect loaf to navigating business growth, we explore what it takes to elevate your baking craft and career. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an aspiring baker, or simply hungry for inspiration, tune in and discover how the Retail Bakers of America helps you rise to every challenge—and savor every success.
The Perfect Rise: Conversations with RBA
E111: Inside the Certified Master Baker Exam with Austin Scoles
What does it take to join the elite ranks of Certified Master Bakers (CMB)? In this powerful episode of The Perfect Rise, we go behind the scenes with Chef Austin Scoles—pastry chef, educator, and one of the newest CMBs certified by the Retail Bakers of America.
From 10+ weekends of intense practice to a two-day exam that tests everything from precision to endurance, Chef Scoles breaks down the real journey to CMB status—and what most people never hear about the process.
🎓 You’ll learn:
• What the CMB exam really demands (and why most don’t attempt it)
• How Chef Scoles went from student to faculty at JWU
• Why mentorship is a non-negotiable part of mastery
• How certifications can open doors beyond the bakery
• What aspiring bakers should know before they apply
Whether you're preparing for your own certification, curious about high-level pastry careers, or simply want an inside look at the most respected baking credential in the U.S.—this one’s for you.
🧁 Learn more about CMB and other certifications at retailbakersofamerica.org
🎧 Subscribe to The Perfect Rise for more real stories from the leaders shaping baking’s future.
Kimberly Houston (00:00.638)
Welcome back to The Perfect Rise, where we celebrate the people and the paths that shape the future of baking. I'm your host, Kimberly Houston, and today's episode is one you do not want to miss. Joining me is Austin Schultz, a certified master baker, certified executive pastry chef, and full-time faculty member at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte. But beyond the titles and certifications, Austin brings a level of passion, humility, and heart to this industry that's impossible to ignore.
In this conversation, we're pulling back the curtain on what it's really going to take to pursue the CMB, the Certified Master Baker designation. From sitting on his great aunt's kitchen counter as a kid in Columbia, Missouri, to becoming a pastry instructor at the very school that shaped him, Austin's journey is all about full circle moments, relentless preparation, and letting your passion lead the way. We'll talk about competition, certification, student mentorship, TV appearances,
and what keeps him inspired in and out of the classroom. Whether you're a student just starting out or a seasoned pro considering your next big move, this episode offers a candid behind the scenes look at what it takes to rise to the top. One recipe, one risk, and one relationship at a time. Let's get into it.
